Anyone Got a Fulgur Mula?

[to uhebt]

Anyone know much about these?

Fulgur Mula, 160mm Travel EMTB

Just arrived, this Fulgur eMTB. 160mm travel front and rear, 504Wh internal AND 126Wh internal range extender. 160mm travel with EXT Era V2 and Storia E shock. Mullet, 22.59KG with both batteries, with tubes. Polini motor that's fully user serviceable with kits sold by the manufacturer.

www.emtbforums.com

I had a test ride of one and really liked it. The only reservation I have is the 'newness' of the brand and the relative lack of reviews (in English at least). The Polini motor felt good, but apart from some reviews on other bikes that use it, I couldnt find that much, but what I did see looked good. I read the post on here where someone (Bearingman?) says they haven't yet been contacted to fix one.

It would be coming from Berkshire Cycles, they seem to be known for their aftersales service/assistance with warranty claims etc.

This would be replacing a steel hardtail and would be my first full sus, let alone £7k ebike. I know little about MTBs and fully accept that this is more bike than I need, workplace bike scheme discount makes it pretty attractive.

It would be used as an all rounder with occasional bike park trips- is there any concern with it being full carbon and being used hard at rocky North Wales bike parks for example? I'm around 90kgs so don't know how much that effects getting a full carbon MTB if intending to use it hard.


The others I've looked at were the Mondraker Crafty XR (liked, but heavy, and not mullet) and Whyte E-160RS (£600 more expensive than the Fulgur and Mondraker, not as well specced, felt a short reach).

Also on the list is Specialized Levo Comp, but I haven't ridden it yet.

Edit: I've read the threads on here about the Fulgur and the Polini, just wondering if anyone else has one.

Any advice?

Thanks

 

[Zimmerframe]

Search results for query: fulgar

www.emtbforums.com

@cappuccino34

 

[cappuccino34]

Like ANY bike, there are some minor things that let the Mula down. None of them are insurmountable, and all but one I've already made my own 'fixes' for.

For example, it runs a spoke magnet and the speed sensor half way down the left chainstay. I've used a Shimano sensor fitted inside the dropout and fitted the appropriate connector to it and I am using a disc mounted magnet instead.

I wasn't happy with the gear cable routing but that was irrelevant for me because I was always going to fit a wireless derailleur anyway.

The last upgrade that I intend to make is a more robust and deeper lower motor 'guard' because the plastic Polini one is a bit flimsy, tends to pop out of its mounting at the front and breaks very easily. That said, they're cheap as chips to replace. I'd just rather not have to do so so frequently so I'm going to make a better version, probably in carbon/kevlar so that it's properly tough.

Otherwise, the bike is mega.

I've frequently swapped bikes with riding buddies and the overwhelming view is that the suspension in particular is just brilliant. "You can really feel the quality" is a typical statement.
Yes, the suspension being so robust and with a coil on the rear adds a little weight, but I'm more than happy to accept that compromise for the ride benefits it brings. It is practically glued to the ground, the grip is incredible and I can cover ground at a much greater pace than I would be comfortable doing on any other bike. Even with the robust kit fitted, it's still a light bike though.

I'd have no issues buying another one, and I've yet to ride a bike that I would rather have instead of it.

To put the last sentence in perspective, just in our family and friends group, we have Mondraker Crafty Carbon, Giant Trance, a Lapierre GLP-2, Specialized Levo SL, Marida E160-9k, Cube's, Whyte E160, Santa Heckler, Spesh Levo full fat etc etc, and there's not one that I would rather have instead of the Mula. And it was less expensive than a lot of the others.

If you're 90kg, you'll need to fit a stronger rear spring; stock is 400lb, which is ok for a rider around 75kg.

I think there's a bit of fear around going for something that isn't mainstream, but Polini have been around for a long time already and I've not heard a single bad word about the motor from anyone.

 

[cappuccino34]

If you're a visitor to Llandegla, we get there pretty often if you want to have a proper look and I'll show you, worts an' all?

 

[to uhebt]

Search results for query: fulgar

www.emtbforums.com

@cappuccino34

Thanks, I've already read all of the search results on here- just wish there were some more reviews around and am hoping to find a few owners that can comment on the pros/cons.

 

[to uhebt]

Like ANY bike, there are some minor things that let the Mula down. None of them are insurmountable, and all but one I've already made my own 'fixes' for.

For example, it runs a spoke magnet and the speed sensor half way down the left chainstay. I've used a Shimano sensor fitted inside the dropout and fitted the appropriate connector to it and I am using a disc mounted magnet instead.

I wasn't happy with the gear cable routing but that was irrelevant for me because I was always going to fit a wireless derailleur anyway.

The last upgrade that I intend to make is a more robust and deeper lower motor 'guard' because the plastic Polini one is a bit flimsy, tends to pop out of its mounting at the front and breaks very easily. That said, they're cheap as chips to replace. I'd just rather not have to do so so frequently so I'm going to make a better version, probably in carbon/kevlar so that it's properly tough.

Otherwise, the bike is mega.

I've frequently swapped bikes with riding buddies and the overwhelming view is that the suspension in particular is just brilliant. "You can really feel the quality" is a typical statement.
Yes, the suspension being so robust and with a coil on the rear adds a little weight, but I'm more than happy to accept that compromise for the ride benefits it brings. It is practically glued to the ground, the grip is incredible and I can cover ground at a much greater pace than I would be comfortable doing on any other bike. Even with the robust kit fitted, it's still a light bike though.

I'd have no issues buying another one, and I've yet to ride a bike that I would rather have instead of it.

To put the last sentence in perspective, just in our family and friends group, we have Mondraker Crafty Carbon, Giant Trance, a Lapierre GLP-2, Specialized Levo SL, Marida E160-9k, Cube's, Whyte E160, Santa Heckler, Spesh Levo full fat etc etc, and there's not one that I would rather have instead of the Mula. And it was less expensive than a lot of the others.

If you're 90kg, you'll need to fit a stronger rear spring; stock is 400lb, which is ok for a rider around 75kg.

I think there's a bit of fear around going for something that isn't mainstream, but Polini have been around for a long time already and I've not heard a single bad word about the motor from anyone.

Thanks for the info. I take it you bought from Berkshire Cycles then? Do you know what the deal is with being able to spec whatever you want when ordering this bike? I read or saw (can't remember which) a review where it said that it can be specced in any colour/any components... Anyway, it's looking a pretty likely choice- any concerns about a full carbon bike with a 90kg rider battering it over rocky bike parks (Antur Stiniog for example)? As I said, i'm currently on a steel hardtail so no worries on that.

Thanks again

 

[cappuccino34]

Yes, I bought it from Chris at Berkshire Cycles. Top bloke, absolutely straight advice.

I wouldn't worry about frame strength. They are used in EWS-E competition and I'm pretty sure they category 5 rated (the highest). You'll likely break yourself before the bike.
I haven't done Antur Stiniog myself, but if you can get round it on a HT without destroying rear wheels you'll float round it on this, no bother.
The hydraulic bump stop inside the shocks (I presume) means that I've never bottomed out, even dropping maybe 10+ feet when I've overshot a table or double.

 

[cappuccino34]

Maybe if I put it another way;
I'm fortunate enough that I can have any bike at all. If this one got stolen I'd buy the same straight away. Nothing else I've ridden has been close.

As for customizable choice.... When I bought mine the choice was red with EXT. That was it.
At the time I'd rather have had Ohlins (because I didn't really know EXT) but I'm very glad now that I didn't have the choice.